Why should we care about Internet and Media Awareness .... check out this video for the answer
The Internet provides a wealth of information and communication opportunities, but it definitely comes with many challenges and pitfalls that teachers and students need to be aware of.
Just to get us aware of why this topic is important, let's test our knowledge of Canadian Youth Internet Practices:
A couple excellent resources on issues from cyber bullying to privacy on the Internet can be found at Safe Canada Media Awareness
(Note-These are both Canadian sites)
Check out this You Tube video on why not to share personal information in a chatroom
We also have some Cyber Tips brochures to share if you are interested.
Copyright Awareness
The Internet has been characterized as the largest threat to copyright since its inception. The Internet is awash in information, much of it with varying degrees of copyright protection. Copyrighted works on the net include news stories, software, novels, screenplays, graphics, pictures, Usenet messages and even email. In fact, the frightening reality is that almost everything on the Net is protected by copyright law.
Creative Commons
There is however hope that the Internet will become a place of sharing and collaboration.
Watch this flash movie to learn about Creative Commons
For more videos on Creative Commons go here
Do you have something you would like a creative commons licence for go here
Royality Free
There are also many free royalty free materials on the web such as
Referencing
Also if you need a resource to help with how it reference websites in a bibliography this is a good site (it also will help with print materials too) ... BibMe
Open Source Initiative
Another example of the change due to the nature of the Internet is the Open Source Initiative
To learn more about open source watch this video
Here is a top 10 listen of open source software Top Ten
Evaluating Websites
Before we talk more about evaluating website please check out the important information at this site DHMO
After looking at the above site please check out this site for more information on DHMO
Don't forget to use tools such as:
EasyWhoIs: http://www.easywhois.com/index.php (this will allow you to check who registered a website)
WayBackMachine: www.archive.org (this link will allow you to find many websites that may no longer be hosted on the original site)
Additional Web Resources:
Simple K-12 has a comprehensive post filled with internet safety links: http://www.simplek12.com/internetsafety
Welcome to the Web - http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/welcome/start.htm
This site steps students through a complete introduction to the WorldWideWeb!
iKeepSafe Kids - http://www.ikeepsafe.org/iksc_kids/
Although the link provided is specifically for kids, there are pages on this website for teachers and parents also. Lots of great resources for teaching about internet safety in your classroom.
Internet and Media Awareness
Why should we care about Internet and Media Awareness .... check out this video for the answerThe Internet provides a wealth of information and communication opportunities, but it definitely comes with many challenges and pitfalls that teachers and students need to be aware of.
Just to get us aware of why this topic is important, let's test our knowledge of Canadian Youth Internet Practices:
Student Internet Awareness Presentation
Netiquette
Netiquette are basic rules and guidelines when using the Internet.Go here for a basic definition
Here is a document with some good tips and an opportunity to have students come up with their own tips. We can edit them together using TypeWithMe
Safety on the Internet
A couple excellent resources on issues from cyber bullying to privacy on the Internet can be found at
Safe Canada
Media Awareness
(Note-These are both Canadian sites)
Check out this You Tube video on why not to share personal information in a chatroom
We also have some Cyber Tips brochures to share if you are interested.
Copyright Awareness
The Internet has been characterized as the largest threat to copyright since its inception. The Internet is awash in information, much of it with varying degrees of copyright protection. Copyrighted works on the net include news stories, software, novels, screenplays, graphics, pictures, Usenet messages and even email. In fact, the frightening reality is that almost everything on the Net is protected by copyright law.A quick overview of copyright issues A Quick Q and A on Copyright
To learn more about copyright go to The Copyright Website or to Copyright Matters
Creative Commons
There is however hope that the Internet will become a place of sharing and collaboration.
Watch this flash movie to learn about Creative Commons
For more videos on Creative Commons go here
Do you have something you would like a creative commons licence for go here
Royality Free
There are also many free royalty free materials on the web such as
Referencing
Also if you need a resource to help with how it reference websites in a bibliography this is a good site (it also will help with print materials too) ... BibMe
Open Source Initiative
Another example of the change due to the nature of the Internet is the Open Source Initiative
To learn more about open source watch this video
Here is a top 10 listen of open source software Top Ten
Evaluating Websites
Before we talk more about evaluating website please check out the important information at this site DHMO
After looking at the above site please check out this site for more information on DHMO
The Saskatoon Public School Division has an excellent tutorial on how to evaluate websites for teachers called
An Educator's Guide to Evaluating Web Sites.
It is important to remember that all websites are not reviewed and should be evaluted based on a number of criteria including:
Alan November has a number of sites for practicing the evaluation of websites.
Don't forget to use tools such as:
EasyWhoIs: http://www.easywhois.com/index.php (this will allow you to check who registered a website)
WayBackMachine: www.archive.org (this link will allow you to find many websites that may no longer be hosted on the original site)
Additional Web Resources:
Simple K-12 has a comprehensive post filled with internet safety links: http://www.simplek12.com/internetsafety
Welcome to the Web - http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/welcome/start.htm
This site steps students through a complete introduction to the WorldWideWeb!
iKeepSafe Kids - http://www.ikeepsafe.org/iksc_kids/
Although the link provided is specifically for kids, there are pages on this website for teachers and parents also. Lots of great resources for teaching about internet safety in your classroom.
Here is a blog post that adds to what is already presented here.
http://www.greentigercreations.com/intechgration/?p=84
The Internet poses many new challenges, but there is hope. Be aware, be proactive, and be safe.